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Charlene Cross Murdock Bruce - 5/31/2011

Class of 1940

OGDEN – Our beloved Charlene Cross Murdock Bruce, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from congestive heart failure. She was surrounded by her children.

Charlene was born February 20, 1921 to Charles William and Myrtle Douglas Cross. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She attended Ogden City schools, graduating from Ogden High School in 1940 and Weber State College in 1942.

Charlene married Richard Dean Murdock in the Logan Temple on July 30, 1942. Four children were born to this union. They later divorced in 1968. She married Bernard Allan Bruce in the Ogden Temple on April 10, 1982.

When her children were grown, she finished her schooling, graduating from Weber State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.

Charlene was a gifted vocalist. She loved music and shared her beautiful soprano voice at church functions, weddings, funerals, and various social functions. She was a wonderful hostess and loved having family gatherings at her home for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Her summer patio parties were always highlighted by her famous homemade ice cream.

She was a member of the LDS Church and attended the South Ogden 6th Ward. She held many positions in the church including visiting teacher, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School secretary, Relief Society teacher, and Young Women’s President. She spent 48 years in the position of Choir Director, Ward Chorister, Relief Society Chorister, and Stake Mutual Director of music.

Charlene was a school teacher and taught in the Ogden City School district for seventeen years. She was OEA faculty representative and social activities chairman at the Quincy School where she taught for fourteen years. During the last three years of her teaching career she taught at Lewis School. She retired in 1982.

She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers (Camp 47) and Child Culture Club holding the office of president in both organizations. She also belonged to the Retired Teachers Association.

Charlene is survived by her children William C. Murdock, Ogden; Julie (Richard) Bell, Fruit Heights; Dixie (Jeff) Hepworth, West Haven; and daughter-in-law Collette Murdock, Salt Lake City. Also surviving are 27 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, her sister Norma Farrell, Ogden; and three step-children, Rebecca (Mark) Davis, Farr West, Devin Bruce, Layton; Dianne (Dirk) Seibold, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bernard A. Bruce, her son Stephen R. Murdock, two sisters, Ruth Giles and Margaret Kotter.

She will be remembered as a woman of courage who accepted her adversities with faith and understanding.

A special thanks to the caregivers at Crestwood Care Center and Applegate Hospice for their tender devotion to our mother.

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